Star India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has said that Rahul Dravid was present during his first trials for the Rajasthan Royals, adding that the latter had told him he would get a chance, but when he eventually didn’t, he was left heartbroken.
Samson is part of India’s team for the ongoing five-match T20I series against England.
Samson recalled attending the Rajasthan Royals trials in Jaipur for the first time, where he met Dravid. He revealed that former India pacer S. Sreesanth, who was then part of the Royals setup, requested Dravid to keep an eye on Samson and put in a good word for him.
“The trials were in Jaipur. Rahul Dravid came to see me for the first time. As soon as he came, the first thing itself, Sreesanth told him to look at this
guy, saying he has scored a lot of runs, hit a lot of fours and sixes and this and that,” Samson said while speaking on Star Sports.
“He made a lot of stories for me there and I also hit a few sixes then, as per those stories,” Samson said.
The wicketkeeper-batter revealed that Dravid had assured him he would get a chance to play. But after failing to impress in a practice game, Samson was left out of the playing XI for Rajasthan Royals’ opening match of the season.
Samson admitted he was disappointed after missing out but chose to treat the setback as a learning experience while watching from the sidelines. He made his debut after another cricketer suffered an injury, although he was left out again for the next game.
“Rahul Sir told me that he would make me play. He told me he would give me an opportunity. I did well in the Syed Mushtaq Ali. We played a practice match before the IPL and I didn’t do well in that game,” Samson said.
“In the XI for the first game, my name wasn’t there. I was very sad. But that was a blessing, actually. I got some time in such a big league to sit out and figure out what I have to do,” Samson added.
